Mineral collectors



April 5, 1960 c. E. BATTERSON MINERAL COLLECTORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 19, 1959 R O m m r w w V a 3 w 6 F. 7 M n? M w H 2 2 m n H We? 5 n m awn Q 3 5 6 6 5 L 4 Z .FPaf

April 5, 1960 c. E. BATTERSON MINERAL COLLECTORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1959 INVENTOR ("ar/ 5 Bafier-son ATTORNEY April 5, 1960 c. E. BATTERSON 2,931,509

MINERAL COLLECTORS Filed Jan. 19, l959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Car/ 5 Bafier'son ATTORNEY April 5, 1960 c. E. BATTERSON MINERAL COLLECTORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 19, 1959 6 7 651 M 3 Z 3 2 A w w w d I l- Z w I Z M Z? V 2 v/ z 5/ Z M w Q w 1 1 f 9 9 f7 5 4 6 a 4 5 5 w 55 j m M M 17M. mm: mHw VIIIL 2 w a a M 1 5 INVENTOR (ar/ Baflersorz BY W (h ATTORNEY MINERAL COLLECTORS Carl E. Batterson, St. Paul, Minn. Application January 19, 1959, Serial No. 787,723 20 Claims. (Cl. 210 512) This invention relates to an improvement in-mineral collectors and deals particularly with an apparatus for removing solid material from liquid or air containing a solid material. More particularly, the collector is useful in determining the character of mineral being removed from a drill hole during a test drilling operation, and the collection of sludge, slurry or oil vapor in industrial manufacturing etc.

Four methods are commonly used in drilling opera tions, all having an independent power supply to force the cuttings through drill steels or to the surface, namely, air compressors, mud pumps, displacement action and centrifugal or jet pumps. These four methods supply centrifugal force to the material upon introduction to the mineral collector. The first is a core drilling arrange ment in which the mineral being drilled is forced into the hollow end portion of the drill steel and is retained therein. After the drilling has progressed 8 to 10 feet the drill is removed from the hole, the core is taken out and the hollow drill rod is returned to the hole to drill another core of material. This method is limited to materials such as rock or solid material, but is useless in materials such as muds, clays or silica because the core is broken and the recovery is not sufficient for required testing codes. When sedimentary material is encountered in core drilling it is necessary to use settling tanks for recovery.

The second method usually involves continually forcing the material being drilled through the hollow drill rod by means of a pump and a fluid such as water. The

material removed from the drill rod opening is directed into a suitable settling tank where the material settles by specific gravity, and the water is allowed to drain off, so that the material'may be inspected or tested. This method is more commonly used when drilling in sands,

muds or clays but is also used when drilling rock.

A third method is commonly used when a large water supply is not available. Air is used to force the material up and through the hollow drill steel. The air and drill cuttings are directed into a receptacle where his partially separated. The fourth method is a churn drill commonly used for well drililng. This method uses a heavy drill attached to a cable or rope, the cable or rope being run through a block mounted on a boom and then to a dium. This heavy drill is thus permitted to be raised and dropped alternately to drill a hole in the ground. Generally, a casing is inserted as the drilling progresses. The water used in the hole for recovery and cooling purposes is brought to the surface by the displacement action of the drill. The recovered material is introduced to a settling tank where it is allowed to settle by specific gravity so it can be inspected and tested.

The present invention diifers from the latter procedures of collecting the drill cuttings by introducing the drillings from the drill hole to a mineral collector which collects the heavier matter or material in the water or air and deposits it into a transparent container where it may be constantly and visibly noted. When the core drill method is used in conjunction with the mineral collector the return water line is cut and the mineral collector is attached therein. The mineral collector acts as a filter in this return line thus eliminating the use of settling tanks and permitting a faster and more accurate recovery. The outlet pipe from the collector is then directed to return the cleaned water back to the drill for reuse and recycling. When the percussion or reciprocating water drilling method is used, the return line carrying the water and cuttings are introduced to the mineral collector where the material is removed from the water and deposited into the transparent container. The cleaned water is then returned to the drill for re-use.

In air drill operations the cuttings are introduced to the collector in either a dry or saturated state, depending on the requirements. The cuttings can be introduced in a dry' state and the collector will remove the heavier than air particles and deposit them into the transparent receiver container in a dry state. Where the requirements of collection demands a complete dust collection, the-air and dust cuttings are introduced to a water filled collector in a saturated state by means of a venturi tube extending into the inlet line to the mineral collector.

The particles of material in the air flow supply line to the collector are saturated as they come in contact with attached "to the collector. The water in 'the collector.

remains in a closed circuit by discharging the, outletwater from the collector to the inlet ofthe centrifugal pump where it is then pumped back through the venturi in the inlet coupling to the collector. This method of dust recovery is exceptionally efficient and also has the advantages of collecting the dust and cuttings in a transparent container for visual examination and testing purposes.

When the mineral collector is used in industrial applications it is generally used dry but can be used the same as in air drill operations. A source of supply power is necessary in industrial applications such as a blower fan to bring the dust, sludge, slurry or oil vapor from the source to the inlet of the collector where the fan can then produce centrifugal .force to the material in the.

. concentric conical bafiles between which the liquid. or

air containing the mineral or matter is forced. As the liquid or air changes direction between the various baffles, the mineral or matter is divided and the heavier than air or water particles are directed through the lower ends of the cones and into a, transparent or other suitable receptacle where it is collected. t

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a collector which is mounted to overlie a receptacle for containing the collected mineral or matter. In preferred form, this receptacle comprises a transparent bag into which the material is collected.

In industrial applications this visual means of collected material helps to eliminate the overflowing of other type receptacles causing back pressure etc., in dust collecting.

elevation of the stratified formationfin the bag and a record for testing purposes.

A further feature of the-present invention resides in I 3 the provision of a mineral collector including a series of concentric cones between which liquid or air containing a mineral or matter is forced, and in introducing the liquid or air bearing the mineral or matter into the outermost of the cones in a manner to provide a swirling action which assists in the division of the material introduced into the collector. Alternate cones are provided with open lower ends so that the liquid may pass upwardly through the small diameter end of the battle cones to flow between the next pair of conical baffles and cones. The full length cones are provided with openings around the upper extremity thereof through which the water or air and mineral may flow to pass between the next pair of baifles. These remaining collector cones are extended to the extreme of the collector or bottom where a gate valve is provided to facilitate the changing of the receptacle bags. The gate valve is normally in the open position to permit the simultaneous deposit of collected material into the receptacle bag.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of fully extended collector cones having open ends of restricted area to direct all of the material collected directly to a central collection point at the bottoms of the concentric cones. This arrangement eliminates the necessity of valves or other means of draining the collected material from the bottom of the individual collector cones as in other type collectors or separators. Inverted conical baflles are also provided to direct the up-surge of material and direct the flow of air or water regardless of the cycle of flow. A vent pipe is provided at the top of the receptacle to relieve the pressure in the bag and facilitate the flow of material from the cones into the bag.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of apertures around the upper ends of cones to provide passage and direct the flow of water or air and mineral or matter through the various changes in direction of flow. A further feature of this invention is the arrangement and spacing of the various cones to divert, direct and collect all the mineral or matter at a central point for discharge into a receptacle. The diverter cones are so placed to restrict upward flow and change direction of flow to a downward flow. The collector and baflle cones are arranged and spaced to form a cone like space, wider at the top and terminating at the lowest point of the collector body in a narrow ring-shaped passage to cause a restriction of flow and to create a resistance to flow which acts to divert incoming flow through the tortuous .pa'th between the cones, causing a division of liquid, mineral or air and mineral and matter.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus showing the arrangement of parts therein.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on a horizontal plane through the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the innermost cone 2 of the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the body of the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 44 of Figure 1. v

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view'of the apparatus when used in conjunction with a hollow steel drill.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus used in conjunct on with drilling operations where air is used to bring the cuttings to the surface.

Figure 7 is a dagrammatic view showing the manner in which the apparatus is used in conjunction with general dry air dust collection or oil vapor collection.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the apparatus used a a collector n conjunction with drilling equipof frusto-conical shape.

ment using liquid on the surface of the drill or grinding wheel.

Figure 9 illustrates diagrammatically the use of the apparatus in conjunction with air only.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of collector used in conjunction with air only.

Figure 11 is a sectional view through the device illustrated in Figure 10, the position of the section being indicated by the line 1111 of Figure 10.

The apparatus in its preferred form is indicated in general by the letter A best shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. An inverted frusto-conical wall 10 is spot welded or otherwise connected at 11 to an outwardly flaring flange at the lower end of the vent collar 12. The outturned flange 13 at the upper end of the collar 12 is spot welded or otherwise attached to the ring shaped top panel 14 having a central opening 15 which is registered with the vent collar 12. The inturned flange 16 of the breather housing 17 is then secured to the top panel 14 in registry with the aperture 15. The breather housing 17 normally includes a series of screens 19 which permit the escape of air but restrict or prevent any flow of liquid.

A series of angularly spaced angle brackets are secured to the lower edge of the inverted cone 21. An inner steeply slanted cone 22 having its apex uppermost is secured in spaced relation to the small diameter end of a frusto-conical sleeve 23 by a series of angularly spaced angle brackets 24. The angle brackets 20 attached to the inverted cone 21 are then welded or otherwise secured to the upper large diameter end of a diverter member 25 The upper end of the frustoconical sleeve 23 is then spot welded or otherwise secured to the undersuriace of the frusto-conical diverter member 25 as indicated at 26.

A series of frusto-conical sleeves or baffles are then secured to the undersurface of the frusto-conical wall 10 in spaced relation. A wall 27 encircles the frusto-conical sleeve 23. A baffle 29 encircles the wall 27. A frustoconical wall 30 encircles the bafile 29 and an added baflle wall 31 encircles the Wall 30.

It will be noted that the walls 27 and 30 are provided with angularly spaced apertures 32 and 33 respectively in angularly spaced relation about the upper periphery of these walls. The intermediate walls or baffles 29 and 1 are substantially shorter than the walls 27 and 30 for a purpose which will be later set forth.

The inner assembly thus formed thus comprises a series of walls between which the fluid may flow. The structure thus formed is self contained and may be attached in the outer housing as will now be described.

The outer frusto-conical wall 34 is provided with an outturned flange 35 which is spot welded or other-v wise secured at 38 to the outturned flange of the sleeve extension 36. The connection 35, 36 is preferably double seamed and soldered. An outturned flange 37 at the upper end of the sleeve extension 36 is also double seamed and soldered at 39 to the peripheral edge of the top panel 14. The lower ends of the walls 27, 30 and 34 are provided with concentric cylindrical extensions 40, 41 and 42 which are arranged one within the other.

An inlet pipe 43 is secured to extend through the top wall 14 to extend at a downwardly inclined angle capable of directing the incoming fluid in a generally tangential direction to cause the fluid to swirl as it enters the housing. An outlet pipe 44 extends through the outer cone 34 and is provided with an elbow 45 which extends through the frusto-conical wall 10 to terminate bctwec this frusto-conical wall 19 and the cone 21.

An externally threaded nipple 46 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower cylindrical extension 42 of the outer cone 34 and a gate valve housing 47 includ ing a gate valve element 49 is threaded to the nipple 46. An externally threaded nipple 50 is threaded into the lower end of the gate valve housing 47 and is attached to the receptacle bag adapter 51 which includes a ringshaped flange 52 brazed or otherwise secured to the nipple 50 and a generally cylindrical flange 53 secured to the periphery of the flange 52. The flange 53 is provided with a pair of encircling grooves 54 for a purpose which will be described.

The receptacle bag adapter 51 is designed to support a bag 55 which is preferably a cylindrical bagof clear transparent plastic having a closed lower end 56. The upper end of the bag encircles the cylindrical flange 53 of the adapter and is held in place by a pair of resilient retaining rings 57 which clamp portions of the bag into the grooves 54.

The housing is supported by a series of angularly spaced brackets 59 having vertical portions 60 secured at their upper ends to the outer surface of the outer cone 34 and having right angularly turned bottom portions 61 also secured to the outer surface of the outer cone 34. A tubular leg member 62 extends through each bracket portion 61 and is welded or otherwise secured thereto as well as to the vertically extending portions 60 of the brace. The tubular leg portions 62 thus extend in vertical angularly spaced relation and are in telescoping relation with lower leg portions 63 which fit into the upper leg portions 62. Hand operated set screws 64 extend through reinforced portions 65 of the upper leg portions 62 and engage against the lower leg portions 63 to hold the two parts in adjusted relation. Flanges 66 are threaded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the leg portions 63 and serve as ground or floor engaging members.

The ring-shaped flange 51 is also provided with a second nipple 67 extending therethrough for attachment with a petcock valve 69. A nipple 70 extends upwardly from the petcock valve 69 for connection with the lower end of a vent pipe 71. The vent pipe 71 extends through suitable apertures in one of the brackets 59, passing through both the vertical portions 60 and the horizontal portions 61 thereof and terminating in a lower extremity 72 which is aligned with the nipple 70. A flexible hose connector 73 is secured by suitable hose clamps such as 74 to the lower end 72 of the vent pipe 71 and to the nipple 70.

It is of considerable importance to note that while the various frusto-conical walls and baflles encircle one another, the taper of the various walls difiers. For example, it will be noted that while the spacing between the frusto-conical walls 27 and 30 is relatively wide at the large diameter upper ends of these walls, the walls are very close together at their lower small diameter ends. This is also true of the spacing between the wall 38 and the outer wall 34. This arrangement is of extreme importance to the operation of the device as it forms a definite restriction to the flow of fluid through the apparatus and causes the major portion of the fluid to flow through a tortuous path in passing from the inlet of the device to the outlet.

In most common operations, the heavy cuttings or particles which are being separated are entrained in liquid although, as will be later described, air alone can also be used. The liquid enters through the inlet 43 and is directed around the periphery of the outer cone extension 38 to flow downwardly with a swirling action between the outer wall 34 and the outer baflie 31. The heavy particles of material entrained in the water is directed gradually downwardly to a point below the lower edge of the outer baflle 31. .The heavier material entrained in the water tends to continue its downward movement clue to gravity. However, due to the restricted area between the frusto-conical walls 39 and 34 near their lower extremities, the major portion of the water is diverted and follows the path of least resistance, moving outwardly between the baffle 31 and the wall 30. At the upper end of this space, the liquid is directed through the angularly spaced apertures 33 and the liquid together with the heavier particles of material entrained therein then flow downwardly between the wall 30 and the baffle 29 at least to a point below the lower edge of the bafile 29. Here again, the downward swirling flow of the liquid and entrained material is continually more and more restricted, limiting the amount of material which can pass through the lower end of the walls and into the gate valve housing. During the operation of the apparatus, the gate valve 49 is in open position so that the liquid and heavy material which passes through the lower end of the conical network may flow directly into the plastic bag 55.

Due to the transparent nature of the bag 55, the contents of the bag may be readily viewed. The heavy material quickly settles in the bag and the nature of the solid material being collected can be almost immediately viewed.

The liquid with any remaining solid material which does not pass through the sleeve 41 at the lower end of the wall 30 is directed upwardly between the battle 29 and the wall 27 and is directed through the openings 32 in angularly spaced relation at the upper end of this wall. The liquid is then directed downwardly between the wall 27 and the frusto-conical sleeve 23 to a. point beneath this battle sleeve. The downward travel of the liquid within the frusto-conical sleeve 27 is restricted by the relatively small opening through the extension 40 and usually only that portion of the liquid carrying heavy particles or the heavy particles themselves will drain through the opening. Thus, in order to escape, the liquid moving upwardly into the innermost cone 22 is again deflected downwardly or changed in direction to once again tend to separate any remaining solid material from the liquid. The liquid may flow between thelowerend of thebaflle wall 23 and the surface of the cone 22 and upwardly, the lower end of the frusto-conical wall 25 again tending to change the direction of any liquid which is directed between these members. Liquid moving upwardly through the opening at the lower end of the wall 25 tends to flow in the uppermost bafile cone 21 where the direction of the liquid is again changed. The liquid is then free to pass between the marginal edges of the inner cone 21 to the space between the cone 21 and the outer cone 10. The liquid may then be drawn or forced through the elbow 45 and discharge 44 while the air is free to pass through the vent screens 19.

From the foregoing description it should be clear that as the liquid and heavy material enters the casing, the major portion of the heavy .material is directed downwardly between the walls 30 and 34 and passes through the cylindrical extension 42 of the wall 34 and into the gate valve housing. It should also be understood that the receptacle 55 is sealed with respect to the lower edge of the housing and accordingly, when the petcock valve 69 is closed, much of the tendency for the liquid to flow into the bag is eliminated by the fact that the pressure within the bag and within the body of they collector is substantially equal. Turbulence within the bag may be regulated by operation of the petcock valve 69 leading to the pressure regulator pipe 71. As a result of the arrangement, an extremely effective separation of solid materials may be obtained and the water discharging from the separator is sufficiently clean to be reused where desired.

Figure 5 of the drawings diagrammatically illustrates the use of the collector A when the collector 'is used in conjunction with drilling equipment using liquid such as water to bring the drill cuttings to the surface, as'in reciprocating, percussion and core drill operations. In this arrangement, the propellant used for the water is usually a centrifugal pump or a displacement action pump which is not illustrated in the diagram as it forms a part of the normal drilling system.

It will be noted that in the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, the hollow drill steel 79..fgrms,

a conduit through which drill cuttings are carried by the water which is under pressure. The upper end of the drill steel 79 is connected by a flexible hose 80 to the inlet 43 of the apparatus A. The mud and cuttings are separated by the collector A in the manner described and the entrained particles are deposited in the bag 55. The cleaned water is recycled back to the drill hole by means of a conduit 81 connected to the discharge pipe 44. It should be mentioned that the gate valve 49 serves the purpose of closing connection to the bag 55 when the bag becomes filled. When this occurs, the valve is temporarily closed, the resilient bands 57 are slipped upwardly over the top of the bag, a new bag inserted in place, and the bands are repositioned.

In the operation of the collector A, the same device may be used to separate particles which are forced from the drill hole by air pressure. In the drilling operation, the air may bring up only mud and cuttings or may bring up water with the mud and cuttings depending upon the elevation and location. The apparatus A may be arranged as illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings to collect the various elements brought up by air.

In the arrangement illustrated, a blower or air compressor 82 is connected to the drill hole by the conduit 83 which is designed to withdraw the various materials from the drill hole. The outlet of the blower 82 is connected to a Y coupling 83 having the base of the Y connected to the inlet 43 of the apparatus A. The collector A is initially filled with water and the outlet 44 is connected to the inlet 85 of a pump 86 such as a centrifugal pump. The discharge 87 of the pump 86 is connected by a conduit 89 to the second branch 90 of the Y-shaped coupling 84.

The coupling 84 acts as a venturi to mix the water and the air issuing from the blower 82. Thus, the particles of dirt and cuttings become entrained in the water and are separated on passing through the collector A in the manner which has been described. The cuttings and other solid particles are deposited in the bag 55 in the manner which has been described.

A branch line 91 is connected to the discharge conduit 92 and the flow through the branch line 91 is controlled by a valve 93. When the valve 93 is opened, the liquid may fiow through the conduit 91 either to the drill hole or to a suitable drain. The inlet 85 of the pump 86 is also controlled by a valve 94 which may be regulated toI vary the amount of liquid passing through the pump in ct.

When the apparatus is in operation removing only solid particles from the drill hole entrained in the air, the branch line 91 is closed by use of the valve 93 and the water within the collector is merely recirculated. However, if a certain proportion of water is being carried into the apparatus by the blower 82, the valves 93 and 94 may be adjusted to permit a portion of the liquid to return to the drill hole or to a suitable drain while cutting down the amount of liquid entering the intake 85 of the pump 86 to be recirculated. Thus, the valves 93 and 94 may be adjusted to maintain the water level within the collector and at the same time to prevent overflowing of the apparatus.

It should be also noted that in this arrangement, the screens 19 permit the venting of air in the system so that most of the air being transmitted to the collector may be vented out during the separating operation. A vent pipe 98 through the top wall 14 may also be provided to prevent the build up of excessive pressure from the outer casing. This vent pipe eliminates the necessity for all of the air to travel through the tortuous paths within the collector body to be vented.

Figure 7 of the drawings discloses a system which may be used to adapt the collector A for the collection of dry air dust or oil vapor. In this arrangement, a hood 95 or canopy is erected at the source of the dust or oil vapor and the air is drawn from this canopy 95 through a conduit 96 to a suction fan or blower 97. The outlet of the blower 97 is transmitted through the conduit 99 to the inlet 43. The solid particles of material entrained with the air are separated by the various changes in direction of the air within the body of the collector as will be described. a

In this arrangement, a conduit 100 may be connected to the outlet 44 and a cloth bag 101 may be attached to the conduit 100 to act as a means of collecting bypassed minute particles of dust or the like and also to act as a silencer for the air leaving the collector. Where oil vapor is to be collected, a funnel 102 may be placed beneath the cloth bag into which the oil collected by the cloth bag may drain. The funnel 102 may direct the oil or other liquid collected to a suitable receptacle 103.

Where oil vapor and other foreign material is to be collected, the air tight bag 55 may be exchanged for a cloth bag similar to 101 and a funnel 102 and receptacle 103 may be provided for collecting oil or other. liquid draining from the surface of the bag. In such a case, the bag used in place of the bag 55 as well as the cloth bag 101 may act as oil collecting means.

Figure 8 of the drawings shows the collector arranged for use in-industrial applications such as collecting the products of grinding operations and slurry of sludge from operations like diamond wheel cutting and grinding or glass manufacturing where the reclaimed particles areof value. In this system, the recycling of the water used to carry the products of grinding or other material is of importance.

. The grinding wheel or similar tool is indicated in gen eral by the numeral 104 and is partially enclosed within a suitable housing 105, leaving only the portions of the grinding wheel visible which are used in the grinding operation- The outlet 44 of the collector A is connected by a conduit 106 containing a control valve 107 to a spray nozzle orthe like located within the grinding wheel housing for directing a stream of water against the wheel. The lower portion of the housing is connected by a conduit 109 to the intake 110, a pump 111, the output or discharge 112 thereof being connected by a conduit 113 to the inlet 43 of the collector A. The conduit 113. is controlled by a valve 114. A water supply line 115 controlled by a valve 116 is also connected to the inlet 43.

In operation, the valve 114 is closed and the valve 116 open to fill the collector with water. The valve 107 is open to provide a flow of water to the grinding wheel 104. A bypass line 117 connecting a control valve 119 permits a portion of the water from the discharge 44 to bypass the grinding wheel and to pass directly to the inlet 110 of the pump 111 so as to provide a desired stream to the wheel. The material collected from the wheel is transmitted by the pump. to the collector and separated in the manner described.

If desired, a T-connection 120 may be connected to the gate valve 49 in a manner to permit the drainage of the collector when desired. A drain line 121 is shown controlled by a valve 122 which may permit draining of the collector at the desired intervals.

In Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings I disclose a slightly modified form of collector which is preferably used in conjunction with the removal of dust and other solid particles from a stream of air. In general, this modified form of construction is similar to the first disclosed construction with the exception of the bottom portion of the apparatus which has been elongated and provided with additional baflle walls. Also the gate valve is omitted from this'form of construction.

The collector B includes any outer frustro-conical wall 125 attached at its upper end at 126 to a generally cylindrical extension sleeve 127 which in turn is attached at its upper end as indicated at 129 to a top panel 130. An outlet pipe 131 extends through the top panel 130 and supports a downwardly and outwardly inclined frusto- Q conical wall 132. A series of concentric frusto-conical walls and baflles are secured to the undersurfa'ce of the deflector wall 132. The lower edge of the baflle wall 132 supports a frusto-conical bafiie 133. A frusto-conical wall 134 having angularly spaced apertures near its upper'end as indicated at 135 is attached to the deflector wall 132 at 136 in inwardly spaced relation to the baffle 133. A bafile 137 is attached at 139 inwardly of the ringof attachment 136 and an additional frusto-conical wall 140 having angularly spaced apertures 141 near its upper extremity is attached to the deflector wall 132 at 142 inwardly of the ring of attachment 139.

As in the previous construction, the various walls and bafiles vary in taper so that the walls are considerably further apart at their upper ends than at their lower ends. Also, as in the other case, the walls 134 and 140 are substantially longer than the baflies 133 and 137 so as to provide .a tortuous path through which the air may flow. v i

A frusto-conical wall 143 is secured to the undersurface of the top bafile 132 having an open lower end 144 which is spaced inwardly from the inner wall 140 a substantial distance. A frusto-conical bafile 145 is secured at its large diameter upper end to the wall 143 as indicated at 146. Angularly spaced brackets 147 extend downwardly from the open lower end of the bafile 145 to support a conical inner bafile 149 having its large diameter end lowermost. Angularly spaced brackets 150 are provided on the upper surface of the frusto-conical 143 to support a central conical baffie 151 within the upper end of the top bafile wall 132. The pointed upper end of the conical wall'151 extends into the outlet pipe 131.

The lower ends of the walls 125, 134 and 140 are pro-' vided with frusto-conical extensions. having their smaller diameter ends uppermost. The outer wall'125 is connected to the extension wall 152 which is provided with a cylindrical sleeve 153 at its lower end.' The sleeve 153 is provided with annular grooves 154 extending thereabout. The sleeve 153 is encircled by the upper end of a collecting bag 155 which is held in place by resilient rings 156 which force a portion of the bag material into the grooves 154. A clamping band 158 having split ends and provided with projecting ears 159 may encircle the clamping rings 156. A clamping bolt and nut 160 may extend. through the ears 159 to clamp the band so as to hold the upper end of the bag encircling the sleeve 153.

The outer wall 125 is provided with angularly spaced angle brackets 161 which serve as connections between the outer wall and upper tubular leg sections 162. Lower leg sections 163 are shown telescoping into the upper leg sections 162 and held in adjusted relation by thumb screws 164 or other suitable means.

The lower end of the wall 134 is provided with a frusto-conical extension 165 which terminates in a' ringshaped sleeve 166 spaced inwardly from the outer sleeve 153. The lower end of the innermost wall 140 is provided with a frusto-conical extension 167 which is spaced between the wall extension 165 and a conical bafiie wall 169 which is supported inwardly of the wall 167 by angularly spaced brackets 170. An inverted conical baflle 171 has its large diameter upper end secured to the inner surface of the conical bafile 169 intermediate the ends of the walls.

The upper portion of the collector is provided with an inlet 172 which is angularly directed, so as to direct air into the apparatus in a manner to provide a swirling motion. The air entering the apparatus carries the entrained. particles of minerals, dust or the like into the sleet/e127 and 'is deflected into the space between the inner wall 125 and the'outer'baffie 133. Due; to the constricted passage'at the lower ends of the walls 125 and 134, the air is mainly deflected upwardly between the battle 133 and the wall 134. This change in direction causes most of the heavier particles of entrained mate- 19 rial to be directed downwardly between the wall ea tensions 152 and 165 and into the collecting bag 155: If desired, the bag 155 may be made of cotton fabric or other porous material which permits some air to escape but restricts and contains the solid particles. The main flow of air which extends upwardly is permitted to pass through the openings 135 to the space between the wall 134 and the bafile 137. The air is thus deflected downwardly by the bafile 137 thus again changing the direction of the air flow and tending to separate solid particles from the air.

As the air flows downwardly, the restricted passage between the lower ends of the walls 134 and 140 again change direction of the air and it flows between the baflle 137 and wall 140 to extend through the openings 141 at the upper ends of the wall 140. At this point, the air is again directed downwardly by the innermost frustoconical baffle 145.

The air moving downwardly within the wall 140 is again reversed in flow by the small diameter opening at the lower end of the inner wall 140. Upward move.

ment of some of the air causes the air to enter the cen-, tral cone 149 which merely changes its direction. The air finally moves upwardly through the frusto-conical wall 145 and through the lower end 144 of the battle wall 143. The direction of movement of the air moving up-- wardlyis again deflected downwardly by thebaflie 151 and the air finally leaves the device by passing between the top baflie wall 132 and the innerbafiie 151 and through the outlet conduit 131.

As indicated in Figure 9, the collector B is normally used in conjunction with a hood or other dust collector or mineral particle collector 173. This hood is connected by a conduit 174 to the inlet of a fan or blower 175, the outlet of which is connected by a conduit 176 to the collector inlet 172. The solid materials are separated from the air-.in the manner described and the air leaves the ap-.

paratus through the conduit 177 connected to the out et 131.

Due to the particular form of construction of the apparatus, the walls and baffles serve very effectively to change the direction of the air to separate the heavier materials from the air. Due to the fact that the lower ends of the cones are open, the solid particles are carried downwardlyinto the collecting bag at all times during the operation of the device. The added bafiles or lower wall extensions provide added changes in direction to the flow of air which have been found advantageous where air comprises the particle entraining material.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation ofmy improvement in mineral collectors,'and while I haveendeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. 5'

I claim: 7

1. A mineral collector for removing minerals from the fluid in which they are entrailed, the collector including a series of spaced concentric frusto-conical walls arranged one within the other on a substantially vertical axis, the walls beingof different taper with the large diameter ends of the Walls being spaced apart a greater distance than the small diameter ends thereof to provide restricted ring-shaped passages between the small diameter ends, a

frusto-conical baffles supported spaced between each pair of adjoining walls, said baffies terminating substantially above the lower ends of the walls, said to said top wall, a receptacle connected to the lower end of the outer of said walls and communicating with the passages between said walls, a concentric frusto-conical bafiie inwardly of the innermost of said walls, an outlet bafiles extending communicating with the interior of said last named bathe, and an inlet Communicating with the space between the outermost wall and the outermost bafie.

p 2. The construction of claim 1 and in which the top wall is conical with the large diameter end of said outermost wall is connected to a top enclosure enclosing said top wall.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which the large diameter end of the outermost of said Walls is connected to a cylindrical extension having a closed upper end.

4. The structure of claim 1 and in which the inlet comprises tubular means directing the incoming fluid and minerals angularly within the outermost wall to impart a swirling motion to the flow therein.

5. The construction described in claim 1 and including an added frusto-conicalbafile having its large diameter end secured to said top Wall inwardly of the innermost of said walls and terminating inwardly of the innermost last named ba'llie.

r 6. The construction described in claim 5 and including a conical bafiie having its lower large diameter end secured in spaced relation to the inner wall of said last named frusto-conical wall.

7. The construction described in claim 1 and including a central conical baflle having its large diameter lower end secured in spaced relation to the small diameter end of said last named bafile.

' 8. The construction described in claim 1 and including a vent passage extending through said top wall, and screening means in said vent passage.

9. A mineral collector for removing solid particles from fluid in which they are entrained including an outer frusto-conical wall and a plurality of inner frusto-conical Walls arranged in coaxial spaced relation on a substan-i tially vertical axis with their large diameter ends uppermost, said walls varying serially in taper with the large diameter ends spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the small diameter ends to provide ringshaped restricted passages between the lower ends thereof, a closed receptacle secured to the lower end of said outer wall and communicating with said passages and with the interior of the innermost of said walls, a generally conical top wall connected to the upper ends of said inner walls, frusto-conical baliles in sealed relation to said top wall spaced between each adjoining pair of walls, said inner walls having passages therethrough at the upper ends thereof, an enclosure connected to the upper end of said outer walls and'enclosing said top wall, an inlet communicating with said enclosure, said bafiies terminating above the lower ends of said outer and inner walls to provide a tortuous path between'each baflie and the adjacent walls, an outlet communicating with the space interiorly of said innermost wall, whereby the res'triction to flow caused by said restricted passages causes most of the fluid to follow said tortuous path, while the changes in direction of the flow causes the entrained particles to flow through said restricted passages to said rec'eptacle.

10. The structure described in claim 9 and including a valve interposed between said ring-shaped restricted passages and said receptacle.

11. The construction described in claim 9 and including a pressure equalizing pipe communicating with the interior of said closed receptacle and including a control valve in said pressure regulating tube.

12. The construction described in claim 9 and including a frusto-conical baffle wall having its large diameter upper end secured to said top wall inwardly of the innermost of said walls, and a frusto-conical bafile wall having its large diameter end secured to said last named battle wall intermediate its ends.

,13. The construction described in claim 12 and including a conical bafile having its large diameter lower end supported in spaced relation to the lower end of said last named baffle.

14. The construction described in claim 12 and including a. conical baffle supported in coaxial relation to said top wall and spaced inwardly thereof.

15. The construction described in claim 9 and including a vent tube communicating with the interior of said innermost wall and including screening means which permit the venting of air but restrict the flow of liquid.

16. The construction described in claim 9 and in which said outer and inner walls are provided at their lower ends with frusto-conical extensions arranged with their small diameter ends uppermost, and in which said closed receptacle is secured to the frusto-conical extension of the outer wall.

17. The construction described in claim 16 and including a conical bafile supported with its large diameter lower end in spaced relation to the lower ends of said frusto-conical extensions, said conical baffle being inwardly spaced from the frustoconical extension of the innermost wall.

18. A mineral collector for removing solid particles from fluid in which they are entrained including an outer frusto-conical wall and a plurality of inner frusto-conical walls arranged in coaxial spaced relation on a substantially vertical axis with their large diameter ends upperw most, said walls varying serially in taper with the large diameter ends spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the small diameter ends to provide ringshaped restricted passages between the lower ends thereof, frustowonical extensions secured to the lower ends of said walls, said extensions having their small diameter ends secured to the lower small diameter ends of said walls, a closed receptacle secured to the lower end of said outer wall extension and communicating with said passages and with the interior of the innermost'of said walls, a generally conical top wall connected to th upper" ends of said inner walls, frusto-conical battles in sealed relation to said top wall spaced between each adjoining pair of walls, said inner walls having passages therethrough at the upper ends thereof, an enclosure connected to the upper end of said outer walls and enclosing said top wall, an inlet communicating with said enclosure, said bafiies terminating above the lower ends of said outer and inner walls to provide a tortuous path between each bafile and the adjacent walls, an outlet communicating with the space interiorly of said innermost wall, whereby the restriction to flow caused by said restricted passages causes most of the fluid to follow said tortuous path, while the changes in direction of the flow causes the entrained particles to flow through said restricted passages to said receptacle.

19. The structure of claim 18 and in which said extensions are serially varying in taper, with the lower ends of the extensions spaced apart a distance greater than the upper ends thereof.

20. The structure of claim 18 and including an inverted cone-shaped bafiie having its upper large diameter end secured in spaced relation to the large diameter lower end of the extension of the outer wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

